Traffic barrier

ABSTRACT

Connectors and systems for connecting multiple traffic barriers is provided. The connector includes a joint plate having a first side and a second side, at least one strengthening plate coupled to the first side, a left joint, coupled to the second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the left joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint, and a right joint, coupled to the second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the right joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.provisional application No. 62/824,367 filed on Mar. 27, 2019 in theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The field of the embodiments of the present invention relates to trafficbarriers and, in particular, to interlocking traffic barrier connectorsthat interlock traffic barriers at a plurality of angles.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Traffic barriers are used for a variety of purposes, such as redirectingtraffic, protecting workers from oncoming traffic, and warning driversof possibly-hazardous conditions beyond the traffic barriers. As trafficbarriers are placed, it is important that the barriers adequately borderthe area or areas intended to be bordered while not blocking too much ofan area off. Due to the size and weight of traffic barriers, it isdifficult to install traffic barriers at angles while still adequatelyinterlocking the traffic barriers. An easy and efficient way ofinterconnecting traffic barriers at a variety of angles is thus needed.

Examples of related art are described below:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,884 generally describes a concrete roadway barrierelement incorporates coupling devices at each end to provide forcoupling a series of such barrier elements into a continuous barrier.Each element includes a steel device of “T” shaped cross-section at oneend and a mating slotted trough at the other end to receive the “T”shaped device of an adjacent member. The troughs and “T” shaped membersare locked into the barrier element during the concrete casting process.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,254 generally describes a track separator elementfor combining with other like elements to form a track separator forseparating areas in which vehicle traffic flows from other areas. Thetrack separator element is formed from a hollow body for accommodatingballasting fluid and has lateral flaps extending from its bottom baseportion. The lateral flaps have deformations formed on their top surfacefor generating noise when a vehicle rides over them. An evacuationnozzle is connected to a hollow tube that allows the ballasting liquidto be easily emptied out of the element.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,585 generally describes a portable highway barrierconstructed of light weight material has an interior cavity which can befilled with a fluid ballast once it has been transported to autilization site. The barrier has a box-like configuration defined byvertically-oriented side and end walls, the bottom portion of which isconstructed to provide vertically-oriented slots each of which mayfunction to support the lower edge of a vertically-oriented highwaysign. The upwardly extending walls of a shallow well formed in the topof the barrier have apertures therein for facilitating attachment to thebarrier of highway signs and/or other signaling or control devices suchas warning lights. The barrier construction provides for attachment ofconnecting elements to its end walls so as to enable interconstructionof a plurality of barriers in end to end relationship for trafficchannelization.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,448 generally describes provisional road signbarriers and permanent medians that are formed based on the correlative,interconnectable arrangement of a number of equal modules, some male andothers female, for connecting, which are made of adequate plastic, arehollow and equipped to enclose an electrical supply and correspondinginternal lamps that will provide a correct view and real volume of theformed barrier. The modules include, in addition to a metallicreinforcement structure, some sheets that act as elements which absorbthe impact of vehicles. The modules will be filled with bags of water,or with sand and/or concrete, as weights, to form a static barrier thatcarries out the function of signposting and beaconing for works onhighways and similar places, and of protecting against the impact ofvehicles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,582 generally describes concrete barriers on aprestressing strand running through the barriers. The prestressingstrand may serve to move the barriers together to compact a pliablejoint material between the barriers. Following joint compaction, thebarriers may be held in place by anchoring to a foundation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,799 generally describes durable flat panels that areconnectable at their edges and are of appropriate shape and dimension tobe quickly and simply assembled and secured into a closed hollowprismatic module configuration. A dense fill material is loaded onto thebottom panel prior to closure providing mass for strength and stabilityagainst impacts. The flat panels may be hingeably interconnected andfoldable to optionally form a compact stackable configuration forstorage and transport. A multiplicity of such modules may be positionedand connected to form a continuous massive wall for such uses asreducing damaging wave action, preventing beach erosion, directing waterin flood areas, and providing highway barriers for guidance and safety.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,353 generally describes a relocatable trafficbarrier system including a plurality of elongate barrier modulesconnected end-to-end, each module having a cavity for receiving aballast of a fluid material wherein the barrier system includes at leastone crash rail extending lengthwise along at least one side of theplurality of elongate barrier modules wherein the at least one crashrail is secured to selected elongate barrier modules by a deformablemember, said deformable member being disposed between the at least onecrash rail and the selected elongate barrier modules.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0245826 generally describesa traffic control barrier having an internal reservoir to receive water,sand or similar ballast material, such that the barrier is relativelylightweight until filled with ballast. The barrier is nestable such thatmultiple barriers can be disposed in a vertical stack of reduced height.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0110517 generally describesa road barrier system with a first barrier forming a hollow containerand a second barrier forming a hollow container, the first and secondbarriers being configured with alternating structures to permit thebarriers to mate. The alternating structures may be located on opposedend walls of the respective barriers and may be configured asalternating half-moon projections and recesses. The mating may permit upto 30 degrees of deflection. Also disclosed are molds for making suchbarriers, where the molds include a base mold, a female mold, and a malemold, and the base mold may be coupled with either of the female or malemolds to create a road barrier mold having features particular to eitherthe female mold or the male mold.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0121326 generally describesa system, machine, device, and/or manufacture comprising a trafficseparating median barrier comprising: a barrier body having asubstantially uniform cross section along a longitudinally extendingdirection, said barrier body defining a body length extending along saidlongitudinally extending direction, a body width orthogonal to said bodylength, and a body height orthogonal to said body length and said bodywidth, said barrier body terminating in a first barrier end region and asecond barrier end region, said first barrier end region comprising afemale interlocking structure attached to said barrier body, said secondbarrier end region comprising a male interlocking structure attached tosaid barrier body, said female interlocking structure adapted tointerlock with said male interlocking structure.

None of the art described above addresses all of the issues that theembodiments of the present invention does.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

According to an aspect of the present invention, a connector forconnecting multiple traffic barriers is provided. The connector includesa joint plate having a first side and a second side, at least onestrengthening plate coupled to the first side, a left joint, coupled tothe second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apartfrom each other such that the left joint is configured to receive acomplimentary joint, and a right joint, coupled to the second side,including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each othersuch that the right joint is configured to receive a complimentaryjoint.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system forconnecting multiple traffic barriers is provided. The system includes atraffic barrier, the traffic barrier including a main body having anopening on a first end and a second end. The system further includes atfirst joint apparatus positioned at least partially within the openingon the first end, and a second joint apparatus positioned at leastpartially within the opening on the second end. The first jointapparatus and the second joint apparatus include each includes a jointplate having a first side and a second side, a left joint, coupled tothe second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apartfrom each other such that the left joint is configured to receive acomplimentary joint, and a right joint, coupled to the second side,including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each othersuch that the right joint is configured to receive a complimentaryjoint.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,wherein the at least two protrusions of the left joint and the at leasttwo protrusions of the right joint are facing toward each other.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,wherein the at least two protrusions of the left joint and the at leasttwo protrusions of the right joint are facing away from each other.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,further comprising at least one socket, coupled to the second side,configured to receive a pin.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,wherein at least one socket is coupled to the left joint and the rightjoint.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,wherein at least one of the at least one strengthening plates ispositioned approximately parallel to a bottom portion of the jointplate.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,wherein the joint plate is configured to fit within an outer surface ofa traffic barrier.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,wherein the left joint and the right joint are configured such that areceiving connector can be joined to the connector at a plurality ofangles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,wherein at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portionof the left joint.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector,wherein at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portionof the right joint.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, wherein,for the first joint apparatus, the at least two protrusions of the leftjoint and the at least two protrusions of the right joint are facingtoward each other.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, wherein,for the first joint apparatus, the at least two protrusions of the leftjoint and the at least two protrusions of the right joint are facingaway from each other.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, furthercomprising at least one socket, coupled to the second side of the jointplate on the first joint apparatus, configured to receive a pin, and atleast one socket, coupled to the second side of the joint plate on thesecond joint apparatus, configured to receive a pin.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, furthercomprising at least one strengthening plate coupled to the first side ofthe joint plate of the first joint apparatus, and at least onestrengthening plate coupled to the first side of the joint plate of thesecond joint apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, wherein,for each of the first joint apparatus and second joint apparatus, atleast one of the at least one strengthening plates is positionedapproximately parallel to a bottom portion of the joint plate.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, wherein,for the first joint apparatus, the left joint and the right joint areconfigured such that a receiving joint apparatus can be joined to thefirst joint apparatus at a plurality of angles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, wherein,for the second joint apparatus, the left joint and the right joint areconfigured such that a receiving joint apparatus can be joined to thesecond joint apparatus at a plurality of angles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, wherein,for the first joint apparatus or the second joint apparatus, at leastone of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the left joint.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, wherein,for the first joint apparatus or the second joint apparatus, at leastone of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the rightjoint.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, whereinthe traffic barrier further includes at least one ballast box housedwithin the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector havingjoint protrusions facing away from each other, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector havingjoint protrusions facing towards each other, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a traffic barrier connector having jointprotrusions facing away from each other, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of a traffic barrier connector having jointprotrusions facing away from each other, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a traffic barrier connector having jointprotrusions facing towards each other, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of a traffic barrier connector having jointprotrusions facing towards each other, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector joint,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector joint,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of a traffic barrier connector joint,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of a traffic barrier connector joint,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier having a pluralityof traffic barrier connectors, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 shows an upper view of two traffic barriers connected parallelto each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows an upper view of two traffic barriers connected at anon-180 degree angle to each other, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective interior view of two interconnected trafficbarriers, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the variousfigures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the presentinvention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of thepresent invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact,those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading thepresent specification and viewing the present drawings that variousmodifications and variations can be made thereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view of a traffic barrierconnector 100 having joint protrusions 130 facing away from each other(FIG. 1), and a traffic barrier 100 having joint protrusions 130 facingtowards each other (FIG. 2), are illustratively depicted, in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier connector 100 includes ajoint plate 110 having a first side and a second side, and a pluralityof j oints 120, 125, 145, 150, each joint having protrusions 130.According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier connector 100 includesone or more strengthening plates 115 coupled to the first side of thejoint plate 110. According to an embodiment, one or more of thestrengthening plates 115 may be positioned on the joint plate 110 suchthat the one or more strengthening plates 115 are approximately parallelto a bottom portion of the joint plate 110. The traffic barrierconnector 100 may also include one or more stop blocks 140.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the protrusions 130 on thejoints 120, 125 are facing toward each other and are configured toreceive one or more complimentary joints (145, 150, shown in FIG. 2).According to an embodiment, the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 are positionedon the joint plate 110 such that the joints 120, 125 on one trafficbarrier connector 100 (FIG. 1) slide into the joints 145, 150 of anothertraffic barrier connector 100 (FIG. 2). It is noted, however, that othermethods of interlocking traffic barrier 100 joints 120, 125, 145, 150may also be used, such as, e.g., snapping and/or locking one or more ofthe joints 120, 125, 145, 150 into position, rotating one or more of thejoints 120, 125, 145, 150 into position, and/or any other suitablemethod, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier connector 100 mayinclude one or more sockets 135 coupled to the second side of the jointplate 110 and configured to receive one or more pins 155 (shown in FIGS.12 and 14). The sockets 135 may be positioned such that they do notprevent the insertion of the joints 120, 125 of one traffic barrierconnector 100 (FIG. 1) into the joints 145, 150 of another trafficbarrier connector 100 (FIG. 2). One or more of the sockets 135 may beseparated from one or more of the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 and/orconnected to one or more of the joints 120, 125, 145, 150.

According to an embodiment, once the joints 120, 125 of one trafficbarrier connector 100 (FIG. 1) are inserted into the joints 145, 150 ofanother traffic barrier connector 100 (FIG. 2), the sockets 135 line upin a way such that a pin 155 or other securing device may be insertedthrough the sockets 135 in both of the connected traffic barrierconnectors 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, a front (FIG. 3) and rear (FIG. 4) view of atraffic barrier connector 100 having joint protrusions 130 facing awayfrom each other, and a front (FIG. 5) and rear (FIG. 6) view of atraffic barrier connector having joint protrusions facing towards eachother, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6, the joint plates 110 have awide base and a narrower upper portion. This is so the joint plates 110can fit within the outer surface of a main body 210 (shown in FIG. 11)of a traffic barrier 200 (shown in FIG. 11). It is noted, however, thatother suitable shapes for the joint plates 110 may also be used toaccommodate the differing shapes of traffic barriers 200, while stillmaintaining the spirit of the present invention.

As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 6, the strengthening plates115 extend across the entire width of the first side of the joint plates110. However, it is noted that the strengthening plates 115 may extendonly partially across the width of the joint plates 110 while stillmaintaining the spirit of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, perspective views of traffic barrierconnector 100 joints 150 (FIG. 7) 145 (FIG. 8), and front views oftraffic barrier connector 100 joints 150 (FIG. 9) and 145 (FIG. 9) areillustratively depicted, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention.

According to an embodiment, the protrusions 130 of traffic barrierconnector 100 joints 145 and 150 narrow toward an upper portion of thetraffic barrier connector 100 joints 145, 150. This narrowing (encircledin FIGS. 9-10) widens the gaps between the protrusions 130, enablingeasier insertion of traffic barrier connector 100 joints 120, 125 intotraffic barrier connector 100 joints 145, 150.

As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 and 7-10, the traffic barrierconnector 100 joints each include three protrusions 130. It is noted,however, that the traffic barrier connector 100 joints 120, 125, 145,150 may include any number of protrusions 130 while maintaining thespirit of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a perspective view of a traffic barrier 200having a plurality of traffic barrier connectors 100 is illustrativelydepicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier 200 may include a mainbody 210, one or more ballast boxes 215, one or more drains 220, one ormore lifting plates 225, and/or one or more traffic barrier connectors100. According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier 200 may include noballast boxes 215.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the joint plate 110 of thetraffic barrier connector 100 is secured in an opening within the outersurface of the main body 210. However, it is noted that the joint plate100 may be secured on the outer surface of the main body 210 and/or byany other suitable means while maintaining the spirit of the presentinvention.

According to an embodiment, both traffic barrier connectors 100 coupledto the traffic barrier 200 include joints 120, 125 having protrusions130 facing away from each other. According to another embodiment, bothtraffic barrier connectors 100 coupled to the traffic barrier 200include joints 145, 150 having protrusions 130 facing towards eachother. According to another embodiment, one traffic barrier connector100 coupled to the traffic barrier 200 includes joints 120, 125 havingprotrusions 130 facing away from each other and one traffic barrierconnector 100 coupled to the traffic barrier 200 includes joints 145,150 having protrusions 130 facing towards each other.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an upper view of two traffic barriers 200connected linearly are illustratively depicted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12, two of the protrusions 130 ofjoint 120 are interlocked with two of the protrusions 130 of joint 150,and two of the protrusions 130 of joint 125 are interlocked with two ofthe protrusions 130 of joint 145. This interlocking causes the trafficbarrier connectors 100 to be approximately parallel to each other,causing the traffic barriers 200 to be parallel to each other.

Once the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 are interlocked, a pin 155 isinserted within the holes of the respective sockets 135 of the trafficbarrier connectors 100.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an upper view of two traffic barriers 200connected at a non-180 degree angle to each other is illustrativelydepicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13, one of the protrusions 130 ofjoint 120 are interlocked with one of the protrusions 130 of joint 150,and one of the protrusions 130 of joint 125 are interlocked with one ofthe protrusions 130 of joint 145. This interlocking enables the anglebetween the traffic barrier connectors 100 be adjusted, causing thetraffic barriers 200 to be at a non-180 degree angle to each other. Itis noted that any number of protrusions 130 of one joint 120, 125, 145,150 may be interlocked with any number of protrusions 130 of anotherjoint 120, 125, 145, 150 while still maintaining the spirit of thepresent invention.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the angle between thetraffic barriers 200 is 177 degrees. However, other angles may also bemade between the traffic barriers, the distance between protrusions, andthe number of protrusions 130 on the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 may alsoaffect the angle that can be made between the traffic barriers 200.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the pin 155 shown in FIG.12 cannot fit within all of the holes of the sockets 135. According toan embodiment, a pin 155 of smaller diameter may be used within theholes of the sockets 135 while the traffic barriers 200 are at a non-180degree angle to each other. According to an embodiment, the holes in thesockets 135 may be configured to enable the insertion of a pin 155 whilethe traffic barriers 200 are at a non-180 degree angle to each other.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a perspective view of two interconnectedtraffic barriers 200 is illustratively depicted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14, the pin 155 extends through allof the sockets 135, further securing the traffic barriers 200 to oneanother.

According to an embodiment, any one or more components of the trafficbarrier connector 100 and/or the traffic barrier 200 may be separatecomponents or formed together with any other components. The trafficbarrier 200 and traffic barrier connector 100 may include metals, suchas, e.g., iron, steel, copper, aluminum, etc., rubbers, soft and hardplastics, and/or any other suitable materials.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s)thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective“another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one ormore elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to beinclusive such that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for connecting multiple trafficbarriers, comprising: a joint plate having a first side and a secondside; at least one strengthening plate coupled to the first side of thejoint plate; a left joint, coupled to the second side of the jointplate, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from eachother such that the left joint is configured to receive a complimentaryjoint; and a right joint, coupled to the second side, including at leasttwo protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the rightjoint is configured to receive a complimentary joint.
 2. The connectoras recited in claim 1, wherein the at least two protrusions of the leftjoint and the at least two protrusions of the right joint are facingtoward each other.
 3. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein theat least two protrusions of the left joint and the at least twoprotrusions of the right joint are facing away from each other.
 4. Theconnector as recited in claim 1, further comprising: at least onesocket, coupled to the second side, configured to receive a pin.
 5. Theconnector as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one socket is coupledto the left joint and the right joint.
 6. The connector as recited inclaim 4, wherein at least one of the at least one strengthening platesis positioned approximately parallel to a bottom portion of the jointplate.
 7. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the joint plateis configured to fit within an outer surface of a traffic barrier. 8.The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the left joint and theright joint are configured such that a receiving connector can be joinedto the connector at a plurality of angles.
 9. The connector as recitedin claim 1, wherein at least one of the protrusions narrow toward anupper portion of the left joint.
 10. The connector as recited in claim1, wherein at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upperportion of the right joint.
 11. A system for connecting multiple trafficbarriers, comprising: a traffic barrier, including: a main body havingan opening on a first end and a second end; and at first joint apparatuspositioned at least partially within the opening on the first end; and asecond joint apparatus positioned at least partially within the openingon the second end, wherein the first joint apparatus and the secondjoint apparatus include each includes: a joint plate having a first sideand a second side; a left joint, coupled to the second side, includingat least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such thatthe left joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint; and aright joint, coupled to the second side, including at least twoprotrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the right jointis configured to receive a complimentary joint.
 12. The system asrecited in claim 11, wherein, for the first joint apparatus, the atleast two protrusions of the left joint and the at least two protrusionsof the right joint are facing toward each other.
 13. The system asrecited in claim 10, wherein, for the first joint apparatus, the atleast two protrusions of the left joint and the at least two protrusionsof the right joint are facing away from each other.
 14. The system asrecited in claim 10, further comprising: at least one socket, coupled tothe second side of the joint plate on the first joint apparatus,configured to receive a pin; and at least one socket, coupled to thesecond side of the joint plate on the second joint apparatus, configuredto receive a pin.
 15. The system as recited in claim 10, furthercomprising: at least one strengthening plate coupled to the first sideof the joint plate of the first joint apparatus; and at least onestrengthening plate coupled to the first side of the joint plate of thesecond joint apparatus.
 16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein,for each of the first joint apparatus and second joint apparatus, atleast one of the at least one strengthening plates is positionedapproximately parallel to a bottom portion of the joint plate.
 17. Thesystem as recited in claim 10, wherein, for the first joint apparatus,the left joint and the right joint are configured such that a receivingjoint apparatus can be joined to the first joint apparatus at aplurality of angles.
 18. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein, forthe second joint apparatus, the left joint and the right joint areconfigured such that a receiving joint apparatus can be joined to thesecond joint apparatus at a plurality of angles.
 19. The system asrecited in claim 10, wherein, for the first joint apparatus or thesecond joint apparatus, at least one of the protrusions narrow toward anupper portion of the left joint.
 20. The system as recited in claim 10,wherein, for the first joint apparatus or the second joint apparatus, atleast one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the rightjoint.
 21. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the trafficbarrier further comprises: at least one ballast box housed within themain body.